Day 73: My Last Hurrah as a Thirtysomething

Just looking at the pictures highlighting the past year of my life made me realize how time truly flies so fast. It seemed only yesterday when I celebrated my 38th birthday and now here comes another natal day, making me one year older. This is going to be my last year in the thirties and it seems that everything else in my life seem to be at the end of a chapter or ending (more on that in later posts, don't worry).

I've had a tremendous outpouring of blessings all throughout this year and the biggest one of them all was finally realizing what being a Christian truly means and having a personal relationship with the Lord God. He has opened the floodgates of my mind and heart to His word and promise of eternal life. And it is now that I realize how difficult it is to live life once you get closer to Him. He will test and challenge you all the time to know whether you're His true disciple or not. It might be weird to understand how this can be considered as my greatest blessing this year but it truly is...As I continue to be tested, rocked and shaken, I get molded and reshaped in the process.  I am now a work in progress...having a lot of downs than ups but still trying to get up each time I fall.

Lately, I've allowed myself to be troubled and afraid of these things that signal the end of certain parts of my life. God knows I've wallowed in so much fear, anxiety, grief and self-pity already. Known to be a natural pessimist, I can't seem to get my thoughts to be positive about what's in store in the future. While things seem to be going on south, I have the tendency to think that it's all downhill from here...

Now that I'm facing the big 40 just around the corner there, my biggest wish and fervent prayer is that God helps create in me a more positive outlook, one that is bold enough to look at the future and say "I'm ready, bring it on!!!".  I hope that He continues to allay all my fears and allows me to believe that indeed when He closes a door, He opens a window.

The greatest sign that He is just around, ready to take me under His care was already manifested early today, when my Facebook wall and mobile phone filled up with a barrage of greetings and well wishes. Knowing that I am loved by family, relatives, friends and loved ones boosts my confidence to face another year of my life. Your overwhelming show of love, support and care will keep me going. My heartfelt gratitude to all of you for remembering and keeping me in your hearts and minds.


Finally, to know how deeply I am loved by those closest to my heart makes everything worthwhile and meaningful. With them by my side, I know I can overcome anything...


This is hubby's birthday gift to me...I was in tears from start to finish...such a precious gift of love...

This time from my two girls...what a great birthday gift!

Day 247: Worship Night

Last night's experience during BCBP's Worship Night was something that truly renewed and strengthened my spiritual and prayer life. Understanding more about scripture and receiving God's word was an amazing experience.

Day 207: Golden Glory

This is how the new altar of the St. Joseph Cathedral in Butuan City looks like now. For the past several months, heavy construction and renovation has been going on to produce the marvelous golden glory that is seen in the picture. 

The kids couldn't keep mum their amazement and awe at the beauty in front of them as we took our places on the front pew during Sunday mass. Quickly, questions shot at me one after another: "Mom, who's that one on top?", "Which angel is that?", "Who are those people on either side of the altar?". Fortunately, there was still enough time to answer all their questions before the mass started.

I found it a good exercise too that the children got exposed to the different characters in Jesus' life. At least now, it'll be easier for Kuya Jarred to understand the scriptures when he's reading them for family Rosary time.

Day 199: Graduates of BCLP 12

For the past 8 Saturdays since May 29, hubby and I have been attending the BCBP's Brotherhood Christian Life Program or BCLP. Yesterday, we graduated as part of batch 12 together with 9 other participants. With the Lord's guidance, the support of our BCBP community and the unity of fellow BCLP 12 participants, we are all now associate members of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals - Butuan Chapter. It is but the beginning of our long journey into full Christian life and we are so excited to experience everything else that is in store for us in the community. 

Surely, the regular Saturday talks and meet ups with our batchmates will be be missed but we now have our AGM's (Action Group Meetings) to look forward to plus the remaining programs and talks we need to attend to complete our full-pledge membership into BCBP. 

The changes, the peace, the joy and the new life we're enjoying now was made possible through the grace and power of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We now lift everything for His greater glory and praise! Alleluia!!!

Day 195: The Family that Prays Together...

As a child and young adult, my parents exposed my siblings and I to prayer especially the Holy Rosary. I remember that we'd pray it daily in front of the altar during the month of October which is the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Somehow the busy teenage life turned to the busy career life and sadly, the prayer habit took a back seat.

Ever since joining the BCBP community, I've been reunited with the power and essence of prayer. Understanding more about why we need to pray and how to do it properly has really rekindled the passion of prayer and praise in my heart.

Today, the entire family started the daily Holy Rosary habit at six o'clock in the evening. Kuya Jarred has been assigned the role of prayer leader and scripture reader. At first, he showed signs of restlessness but as he continued learning the Rosary, the prayers and the story of Jesus' life in the scripture readings, it sparked a curiosity and interest in him. 

With God's grace and guidance, I'm hoping we can sustain this wonderful habit in our family...and I end with the slogan that the late Fr. Patrick Peyton (the Rosary priest) has made famous, "The family that prays together, stays together."

Day 181: Dismayed and yet...hopeful...

(photo courtesy of REUTERS)

Today marked an important day in the country's history...President-elect Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, nicknamed Noynoy/P-Noy was sworn in as the Republic of the Philippines'  15th president. 

During the recently concluded national and local elections, I was quite vocal about my personal choice for the country's top post and P-Noy it definitely was NOT. I didn't think he had the qualities I was looking for as the country's leader nor did he have the necessary qualifications and experience to run a troubled nation such as ours. I still stand by these beliefs but I also have to acknowledge and accept that the greater majority of Filipinos have spoken and made their choice.

As I was watching the live coverage of the Inaugural Ceremonies, I cringed at how a dignified event turned out to be more of a Wowowee episode. Even the President's Inaugural Address left much to be desired. Sure, it was done in Filipino but a close scrutiny of the content would reveal that it was nothing but a well-dressed can of empty promises, nothing concrete nor measurable. 

More focus was given on non-essential things like "wang-wang"...as President, P-Noy should know that there are certain security protocols that cannot be compromised, the highest position in the land need to be protected (for all citizens sake). C'mon! There are more important and pressing problems that need attention...focus!!!

I watched and as I continued to do so I got more and more dismayed and frustrated...with what I've seen and heard, I'm expecting the new Aquino government to fail but I have to remain hopeful and prayerful that it doesn't...for all our sakes.

Day 164: Worship

Growing up, I've been the type of person who was always conscious of the people around me and minded what they thought or had to say. This was especially true about worship and praise. I would usually be to embarrassed to lift my hands in prayer or praise when singing songs in church, afraid that the person next to me would think that I'm a weirdo or something. I realized today that I do all weird gestures and noises whenever I cheer for my favorite collegiate basketball team so why can't I do the same for Him, the Almighty Father, from whom all blessings come from. It was such an important lesson and realization for me and I'm glad for this wake up call.

Day 122: In Prayer

I only have to look at the image of our Lord Jesus Christ here to be reminded of His own hardship and sacrifice to save all of mankind.

An inspiring teacher...a loving son...a strong leader - Jesus Christ is the model on how to live our earthly lives. Many times I forget this fact and end up erring big time. Well a huge part of Jesus' legacy is not just showing us how to live but also how to pick up ourselves after a fall. When we acknowledge our mistakes and ask for forgiveness, we are reunited with Him and with God, the Father.

As Filipinos all over the world face a great challenge next  week in choosing the country's next leader, may each one of us look up to Christ for guidance, enlightenment and inspiration.

Day 116: Stillness

While waiting for my daughter to finish summer class today, I gazed at the empty playground in front of me. There was none of the usual noise and action-filled banter among children.  The silence gave me enough opportunity to think about the many blessings God has bestowed upon me all these years.

There may have been times I questioned Him for the many twists and turns my life had taken and it is only now that I fully understand what it means when God said "I've known you long before you were born." and "My plans for you are great".

He's letting me season with every hardship and difficulty, allowing me to become a better and stronger person each time. My fervent prayer is that He continue to watch over me and guide me to make the right choices and decisions.

Day 108: The Power of Prayer

I'm a person who believes in the power of prayer.  In more than a few occasions in my life, prayer has always been my weapon - against accidents, pain, sorrow and disease.  It has also been my steady partner in times of joy and success.  God heeds all of our wishes, although there may be times when his answer is not necessarily the one that we expect, He always answers our prayers.  Only He knows the deepest desires of our heart and He gives only what is best for us.

The Lord has brought us to a path that is uncertain.  We don't know exactly what His plans are but we are just His followers...His will be done!

Day 80: Baccalaureate Sunday

My son, Jarred Andrei, together with the entire Kindergarten II and Grade VI classes of Butuan Faith Christian School had their Baccalaureate Service at the Butuan Gospel Church.  So dashing and pretty in their maroon (Kinder) and white (Elementary) togas and caps, the soon-to-be graduates marched into the church as they were welcomed by the school heads, faculty, their parents, family members and friends.  

Both graduating classes presented uplifting Chinese songs and inspirational English pieces.  The stage mother's heart in me skipped a bit when it was my son's turn at a solo part in their English song.

The highlight of the afternoon was the inspirational talk by Pastor Joshua Ong on the theme "Leaving a Legacy".  He noted that the best legacy we can leave our children is not the material wealth that we have but rather the legacy of God and how he works in our lives.  He focused on the very important role that parents have in molding children...the home is a child's very first school and his parents are his very first teachers.  He mentioned that we need to be the models for our children in showing and giving of our 100% to God.  It is the giving of love to God with all our heart, mind, soul and might.  Anything short of that is a failure.  This is the legacy we need to leave our children for them to truly succeed in their human life.

At the end of the ceremony, it was evident how inspired everyone was and how excited they all were for their upcoming graduation on the 24th.